Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder degenerative arthritis, low back spondylosis/arthritic conditions, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and sinusitis. The issues of service connection for right knee strain and left knee strain are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU is remanded due to procedural defects, including a failure to readjudicate the case after receiving new evidence. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and a left foot disability (plantar fasciitis and a left heel spur) on the basis of chronic disease presumptive under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b). The decision is based on evidence showing current diagnoses, an in-service injury, and continuous symptoms since service separation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right knee disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. The AOJ must obtain additional medical opinions and review outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, as well as a claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine prior to February 3, 2020. However, beginning February 3, 2020, the Veteran is granted a 30% evaluation for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disabilities are remanded due to the need for a thorough VA examination.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine (lower back) is rated at 20 percent effective from August 14, 2023.

Service connection is granted for multilevel degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, with spondylosis and IVDS, bilateral lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and left hip degenerative arthritis.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be related to his current conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for dermatitis was withdrawn by the Veteran.,Prior to July 14, 2023, the Veteran's cervical strain is rated at 10 percent. As of July 14, 2023, it is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and instability have been granted increased ratings, with the effective date for the increase in rating being January 12, 2022.,An earlier effective date of March 20, 2015, has also been granted for the service connection of left knee instability.

The Board has remanded the claim for a TDIU due to an inadequate examination of the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, which impacts his ability to work.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional private treatment records and consideration of whether a different or additional Diagnostic Code should be used.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his right knee disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including a retrospective medical opinion and consideration of evidence related to employment.

The Veteran's cervical strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board has remanded this case for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current conditions are more likely related to aging and repetitive strain than active duty.

The Veteran's low back condition, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis following surgery, is remanded for further evaluation and an addendum opinion to determine if it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations, and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's lower back disability was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The right clavicle fracture, right clavicle scar, left knee strain and joint osteoarthritis, and arterioslerotic heart disease are all found to be related to service. A rating of 30 percent has been assigned for bilateral hearing loss from October 28, 2019 through February 5, 2023.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated at 10 percent for degenerative arthritis, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions that would allow for a higher evaluation.